1. Basic Forms of Government
Geography 9B

2. Basic Forms of Government
Democracy
Oligarchy
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Anarchy
Basic Forms of Government

3. People choose their leaders and have the power to set government policies
All the nation’s eligible citizens can vote
Democracy

4. A government in which a few people such as a dominant clan or clique have power.
Can be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate or military control, etc.
Typically pass influence on from one generation to the next, but inheritance is not necessary
Oligarchy

5. Monarchy Ruled by a king, queen, emperor, pharaoh, etc.
Position of monarch is inherited by birth
Absolute monarchy
Monarch’s power comes from God
Constitutional Monarchy
Monarch’s power is limited by a constitution
Monarchy

6. Power is concentrated in a small group, or a single person
Dictators are not elected and may use military force to keep control
People are not free to express their opinions
Dictatorship

7. No government.
Can occur after civil war when groups are fighting for control
Anarchists believe that government is a bad thing because it stops people from organizing their own lives
Anarchy

8. A state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote
These citizens choose representatives to speak for their opinions
The United States is a republic
Republic